Sepulchral memorial.



A. W. GRAHAM.

SEPULCHRAL MEMORIAL.

' APPLICATION FILED MAY 27. 1915- 1,167,291.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO-.WASHINGTON. D. c.

Patented Jan. 4, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET i,

A. W. GRAHAM.

SEPULCHRAL MEMORIAL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 27. 1915.

Patented Jan. 4, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

wi/lmeoo m/ W W 5%? m1,

A. W. GRAHAM.

SEPULCHRAL MEMORIAL- APPLICATION FILED MAYZT, I915.

Patented Jan. 4, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHE 3.

ANDREW? 'W'. GRAHAM, OF EUFFALO NEW' YORK, ASSICT'NOE OF (ENE-HALF TO ELLIS M. TREAT, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

SEPULCHRAL MEMORIAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed. May 27,1915. Serial No. 30,836.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ANDREW W. GRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Sepulchral Me morials, of which the following is a specification.

'lhis invention relates to sepulchral memorials and has special reference to a memorial of this type arranged to provide space for flowers and separate casket receiving compartments, the two communicating with each other.

The principal object of the invention is to so improve the construction of devices of this character as to eliminate many of the unpleasant features attending the burial of the dead.

A second object of the invention is to improve the general arrangement of devices of this character so as to render legitimate access to the monumental or memorial part easy whi e, at the same time preventing illegitimate access to such portion.

- A third object of the invention is to pro- Y vide an improved device of this character which will be so arranged that one of the vertical walls of the memorial may be moved so as to expose the entire interior of the memorial.

- With the above and other objects in view, as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of arrangei'nent and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

' In the accompanying drawings, like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and Figure l is a perspective view of the complete memorial as it appears above the ground, the sliding door being partly open to show the interior. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through both memorial and casket compartment. Fig. 3 is a trans verse section similar to Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail showing one method of forming the joints and disclosing the manner in which the cement is prevented from working out from between the stones. Fig. 5 is a modified detail similarto Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail section showing one form of dovetailed corner joint. Fig. 7 is a detail similar to Fig. 6 but showing a modified form of joint.

In the present shown embodiment of the invention it may be described as consisting of two parts A and B, the former being above and the latter below the ground. However, it is to be understood that these two parts are so united as to form a unitary device, the distinction being made for the sake of convenience in describing and claiming the invention. The part A will be hereinafter termed the memorial, while the part .B will be called the sepulcher.

The sepulcher B forms the foundation 7 for the memorial A and in constructing this part a suitable excavation is made in the ground. The usual wooden or metallic forms are then placed in position for the outer walls 10 and the walls 10 and subfioor 11 are formed in the well known man- After this is done a moisture proof lining 12 is applied to the inner surface throughout its entire extent. lhis lining may be of any preferred water resisting material and in some instances it is preferred to make the lining of sheet metal such as copper or other corrosion resisting metal. In this case I insert ties or bolts 13 through the inner wall of the form so arranged that when the form is removed sheets of metal, properly punched may be fitted on the bolts against the concrete, nuts 14 being used to hold the sheet in position. It is to be understood that the edges of the sheets are united in any desired manner, as by soldering, brazing, welding or the like so that a water tight box is formed. After this is done the mold for the inner walls 15 is placed in position and these walls and the floor 16 formed of concrete in the usual manner, the inwardly and upwardly projecting ends of the ties 13 causing firm connection to the outer walls and sub-floor. Thus there is formed a casket receiving space 1'? having an opening 18 at the top, the opening being of sutficient size to readily accommodate a casket C. On top of this foundation is placed the base stone 19 of the part A, there being a groove and rib connection 20 between the part B and this stone. On this is placed the sur-base 21, a groove and rib connection 22 uniting this to the base 19. These two parts 19 and 21 are provided with openings 23 correspond ing in size to the opening 18. On this surbase is erected the as having a back wall 24 and end walls 25. On these walls is placed the lower roof stone 26 which is re cessed interiorly as at 27 and which supports the main roof stone 28 having depending integral dentils 29 or the like which serve to prevent movement horizontally. Finally the ridge 30 is placed in position. The exterior of the memorial is suitably ornamented in any preferred manner and all horizontal oints are of the groove and rib construction as shown at 30 while the vertical joints are of the dovetailed type illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. These dovetails are in each case formed by cutting into one of the stones a rounded recess 31, the center of which is located at a greater distance from the mouth of the recess than the radius so that a narrow neck is formed. The other stone is provided with a pro ection 32 similarly rounded to fit the recess 31 and between the two is applied the usual cement. In all cases the cement is applied in the manner shown in Figs. 4.- and 5, wherein the ordinary fiat joint is illustrated at 83, but the stone is cut away to form a. tapered recess 34, either in both stones as shown in Fig. 4: or in one stone as shown in Fig. 5, so that the cement assumes a full arrow head cross section, as illustrated at 35 in Fig. 4 or a half arrow head cross section as illustrated at36 in Fig. 5.

The interior of the monumental or memorial portions of the device is preferably provided with lining walls 37 at its ends and back, these walls being of glass, any suitable stone, terra cotta or any other preferable material. On these walls may be inscribed the necessary data regarding the names, dates of births and deaths of those entombed and these inscriptions may be accomplished by carving, cutting, painting, staining or in any other suitable manner. Inscriptions thus formed are fully protected from the weather and remain permanent. Likewise, the ceiling 38 may or may not be ornamented as desired. This ceiling is spaced from the inner surface of the roof stones 26 and in the ceiling are inserted supporting beams 39 which carry tracks 40, Whereon slide trolleys 41. It is to be understood that this is only one method which may be adopted of moving the remaining side of the memorial and that these tracks may, if desired, be dispensed with as will be hereinafter referred to.

The open side of the memorial is normally closed by a movable'side 4:3 and may be arranged for movement in any desired manner, for instance, by swinging in one or more sections on one or more hinges, by vertical hoists, or by horizontal movement. In the present instance, there is shown a side which moves bodily in a horizontal direction toward the back wall of the memorial. The tracks 4L0 in this instance, supporting the trolley 41 carry a frame 42, which consists of the side members 43 and a central sliding door frame at supported on one of the side members in any preferred manner as for instance, by means of a track 011 the main frame and wheels 46 on the door. By this means the entire front, together with the door, can be moved bodily backward to assume the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 or maybe moved forward to assume the position shown in dotted lines in the same figure. Furthermore, the sliding door, which is provided with the usual lock, may be opened at any time by the person possessing the key without move- -ment of the front, thelatter only being moved backward during the burial of a body. The opening 23 in the sur-base 1s normally closed by a platform e7 of bronze or the llke, which is carried by a pair of to locking hooks 49 which engage in recesses 50 when in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 so that casket may be deposited thereon temporarily. Through the ceiling are made suitable openings for the reception of castings 51 which are preferably of bronze and in these castings is located any suitable type of hoisting device as indicated by 52, the same inthis instance, epresenting a worm and worm wheel chain hoist so that slings 53 may be used to engage the casket C or, to move the floor closing section 47, or to assist in moving the front. It will be obvious that all of these parts may be varied according to the particular circumstance or exterior design of the memorial. For instance, the hoisting device may be of a different form, in place of one side being movable one end may be movable and in place of moving bodily in a horizontal direction it may be readily seen. that the movable side may be mounted in any suitable manner, either for swinging or hoisting vertically. Furthermore, it is to be noted that at the jointof the roof there is provided a metallic filling 51 and that this filling is arranged so that ventilation spaces are provided between the dentils. Also, in both the front and back panels lower ventilation openings 52 are provided. It will be obvious in like manner ventilation is provided for the vault or casket receiving space.

At the time of a burial the floor 47 is moved out to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3. The front being previously moved back as illustrated. The casket is then placed on the platform and the first part of the burial ceremony completed. At the time when it is usual to commit the body liloreover, this platform has connected thereto the grave the hoisting device is used to quietly swing the casket into position over the opening 23 and the casket is then lowered in the usual manner. After the casket has been deposited in the casket receiving space 17 .it is embedded in cement as indicated at 5%. By this means a thoroughly sanitary burial is effected and there is no possibility of illegitimate removal of the body. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the inner panels, which are used for the inscriptions or ornamentation or the like are not accessible to unauthorized persons, while at the same time, the front being of heavy glass as illustrated at 54 and firmly set in a bronze grille 55 permits a View of the interior of the memorial so that the inscription can be seen and any flowers or the like placed in the memorial can be viewed while all are protected from weather or improper interference.

There has thus been provided a highly efficient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that many minor changes may be made in the form and construction, as well as the ornamentation and configuration, of the invention without departing from the material principles involved. It is not wished therefore to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is wished to include all such as come within the scope claimed. It will also be obvious that the usual undertakers lowering device may be utilized in place of that shown herewith.

that is claimed as new is 1. In a sepulchral memorial, the combination with an above ground hollow memorial having one side provided with access means, of acasket receiving compartment located below ground and communicating with the interior of the memorial, and a floor connected with thestructure for lateral movement and normally interposed between the memorial and the casket receiving compartment, the access means normally lying in the path of movement of the floor and being movable out of said path. I

2. In a sepulchral memorial, the combination with a memorial chamber having one wall movable into and out of position to close and open the chamber, or" a casket re- We rib ceiving compartment located beneath the memorial and communicating therewith, and a floor connected with the structure for lateral movement and normally interposed between the casket receiving compartment and the interior of the memorial the wall normally lying in the path of movement of the floor and being movable out of said path.

3. In a sepulchral memorial, the combination with a memorial chamber having one wall movable into and out of position to close and open the chamber, of a casket receiving compartment located beneath the memorial and communicating therewith, said movable wall being provided with a door attached thereto and movable therewith, the floor being connected to the structure and arranged for lateral movement with respect thereto, the wall normally lying in the path of movement of the floor and being movable out of said path.

4. in a sepulchral memorial, the combination with a memorial chamber having one wall movable into and out of position to close and open the chamber, of a casket receiving compartment located beneath the memorial and communicating therewith, said movable wall being provided with a door attached thereto and movable therewith, and a floor connected with the structure for lateral movement and normally interposed between the casket receiving compartment and the interior of the memorial, the wall normally lying in the path of movement of the floor and being movable out of said path.

5. In a sepulchral memorial, a hollow memorial having one wall bodily movable to afi'ord access to the interior, a casket receiving compartment beneath the memorial and communicating with the interior thereof and a movable floor having means for connection whereby it closes communication between the compartment and memorial when in one position and moves laterally and forms a projecting shelf extending outward from the memorial when in the other position.

In testimony whereof I afi'ix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW W. GRAHAM. Witnesses L. N. GILLIs, ALBERT PoPKiNs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

